Ball-bearing



J. E, Pauw.

BALL BEHINGE APPLICATION YILEU APH.! 9,3916. l ga atnted May 18, 1920.

2 SHEETS SHEET L I. E. PRIUYII. BALL BEARING.

APPLICATION FILED ARR. I9, I9I 6.

LSQQQCL Patented May 18, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A r l Swuewfoz wax/@lawn M,

WUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. i

JOHN ERNEST PRUYN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 EMILY lC. PRUYN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

BALL-BEARING.

Patented May 18, 1920.

il Application led April 19, 1916. Serial No. 92,201.

To all 107mm.v t may concern.'

Be it knownthat I, JOHN ERNEST PRUYN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia,- in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new' and useful Improvements in Ball-Bearings, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to ball bearings and more particularly to the type of ball bearing which comprises a plurality of concentric annular' rings having two or more rows of ballsinterposed between them and rolling in races or on paths on their opposing surfaces, the axis of rotation of some ofthe rows of balls being more or less oblique to the axis of rotation of the bearing. This type of ball bearing has been found to be peculiarly applicable to use where it is desired to have a bearing which will carry a thrust as well as a radial load, for, by providing two or more rows of balls as aforesaid, one or more rows of balls will take care of the thrust load, while the other row or rows will carry the radial load.

The general object of my invention 1s to 'produce a bearing of this character, the

parts of which can be easily manufactured,

have the required accuracy and are readily assembled to providea unitary anti-friction bearing which will satisfy the requirements of commercial use.

More specifically stated, one of the objects of m v invention is to eliminate the diiliculties which are at present experienced in accurately grinding a plurality of ball races upon the inner surface of the outer ring of a bearing, without reference lto the distance between the centers of the rows of balls. 'As is well known, the two methods of grinding these ball races are z-to use a wheel whose grinding surface is the exact complement of j the contour ot the ball race to be cut, this method is objectionable for the slightest wearing of the grind wheel will cause inaccuracies in the grinding of the race; to use a radial or an oscillating grinder, this method is objectionable on account of the difficulties experienced in grinding the ball races radially and concentrically true one to the other.

This is a fact for the` reason that unless both ball races are ground without removing the annular ring from the chuck or -other de- 'vice which carries or holds the rings, the races may be slightly ecoentric one to the other, so that whenithe bearing is assembled,

this eccentricity will cause a binding of the parts. The trouble in using a radial oscillating grinder occurs in grinding the inner one of the ball races since the diameter of the bearing is usually not of suiiicient size to permit a free movement of the grinding wheel yand its spindle. However', if this objection can be eliminated, then this latter method of producing the races is preferable since the ball races may be ground with the nicest degree of accuracy and with the greatest ease and facility.

Another object of my invention is to provide a bearing in which, should there be a slight eccentricity of the races yin the assembled bearing, this eccentricity will not cause a binding action of the different parts.

Another object of my making the one ring into a plurality of sections is to provide a unitary ball bearing which contains a plu; rality of elements for mounting movable parts thereon any of which that may be desired can turn independently of the others in the'same or reverse directions.

Another object of my invention is to provide a unitary ball bearing with a plurality of rows of balls which will not completely fail to operate if a ball breaks, or a foreign substance wedgesand locks one of the rows of balls on the rin'g, but will allow the other row cr rows of balls to carry and support the load.

T o carry out thesev objects, I propose to make one of the rings, as heretofore used, ina plurality of sections whereby the ball race on each section may be separately ground.

My invention also consists in forming the ball races upor.` two of the sections of the divided ring so thatthe races on the sections and upon the other ring will by the coaction of the balls hold the sections of the divided ring together and not require these f 100 ment, so the balls will not bind as would be the case if the sections were formed as an spacer shown in Fig integral structure. To cause the conction of the balls with the ball paths o: races to hold the abuttingl sections of the sectional ring together, the ball paths or races are formed by at least two annular ribs on the surface of the integral ring'confronting an annular rib on the surface of each of the two outer sectional rings. The co-action of the balls with the opposing surfaces of these ribs hold the sections toward each other and in abutting' relationship.

My invention will also be understood from the description and embodiment of several forms of ball bearings illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification.

Figure 1 shows an end elevation of one type of bearing constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a radial section through the same;

Figs. 3 and i are radial sections of slightly modified forms;

Fig. 5 is a section of a different form of bearing, the spacer for the balls heilig omitted; v

Fig. 6 is a section of a type of bearing of a slightly different form to that shown in Fig. 5. ige 7 to 14, inclusive, are sections of different modifications, the views also showing different forms of separator; and

Fig. 15 is a detail of the separator or Referring first to all of the different forms illustrated, it will be seen that they have characteristic features which are common to all of them, each one comprising concentric annular rings, the one being formed of two or more abutting sections of which two are designated 1 and 2, and the other one being an integral ring and designated 3. The sections 1 and 2 of the sectional ring are each provided with at least one annular shoulder or rib'on its surface with a ball path or race thereonv facing outwardly, the two shoulders or ribs being respectively designated 5 and 5. The integral ring 3 is falso in each modification provided with at least two shoulders or ribs respectively designated 7 and 8, each havinga ball path or race facing inwardl Interposed between these two pairs of two rows of balls designated 9 and 10 which balls roll or rotate on the ball paths or races and co-act with the annular shoulders or ribs formed thereby. That is, the balls 9 of one' row co-act with the shouldersI or ribs 5 and i7 formed by one pair ot ball paths or races,.and the balls 10 of the other row coact the'shoulders or ribs 6 and 8 formed by the other pair of ball paths or races. The ball paths` or races on each set of shoulders or ribs are diagonally cpposite to each other' and will therefore when the bearing is assembled, by coacting with the balls hold the all paths or races arev neaaaeo sections 1 and 2 of the sectional ring in abutting relationship one with the other, or with. an intermediate part, without fastening or securing the sections together by a positive connector, for as will be clear from any of the sections shown, any tendency of the sectional rings 1 and 2 to separate will be prevented by the balls engarring the shoulders or ribs as described. he sections 1 and 2 of the sectional ring may have a slight lateral movement relative to each other,'if

desired, by spacing the shoulders on the 1ntegral ring apart suliiciently to permit a slight play of the balls in the ball paths or races. The ball paths or races on the sections of the sectional ring are ground separately and as it is extremely difficult to obtain=the same setting in the chuck for 'both sections, there may be somefslightl eccentricity between the ball paths or.. races in sections 1 and 2 when the bearing is assembled, but this is unimportant for the reason that since the sections 1 and 2 are notl positively con' nected, they will be permitted a suflcient relative movement to compensate for any such eccentrlcity, which would not be true if sections 1 and 2 werel made integral or with a positive connector.

In the form of bearing shown in "Figs, lfand 2, the ball races in' the sections 1 and 2 are formed on the surfaces of the shoulders 5 and 6 respectively, and constitute well defined annular paths of which the curvature practically conforms to that of the ball used, from g/ to m and at merging into a smooth annular surface. races on the ring 3 are formed on the surface of the shoulders 7 and 8 and constitute well defined annular paths of which the curvature practically conforms to that of the ball used from 1/l to '11, and at merging into smooth annular surfaces. In this form, the rows of balls 9 and 10 are of .a size to entirely-fill thel space between the ball races or paths provided, and the sections 1 and 2 are thus held in abutting relationship. These sections may, however, have a 'slight relative movement if any great strains or stresses are set up, due to the inequality of the load upon either of the sets of balls, or a slight ecrent'ricity between their race-ways.

l and may be clamped thereto if desired, and

the ring 3 is then tilted with respect to the two sections such a direction that the width of the opening at a point on section 2 diametrically opposite to the assembled balls in section 2 is increased, which will provide a suiicient space for the balls 10 of the other The two ball.

row to bev pressed into the' race formed in section 2. ln .thisl manner the number of balls that may he introduced between the rings depends upon the height of the ,shoulders forming the races. The balls in each row are then distributed and held apart by recesses in its inner edge, which slots aline.

with each other to provide elongated openings inv which one ball from each row is adapted to be. positioned. rlhe two rings are held together by pins 12 or other suitable fasteners which causes both rows of balls to travel at a uniform speed'.

filiere it is desired to utilize` a greater number of balls in each race-way, a charging opening may be provided in one of the rings, as shown in Fig. 4, and indicated by a at the dotted line in sectional ring 1, in which instance the desired number ofvballs of the row 10 are first inserted between one o'f the sections and the integral ring 3, as for example byv laterally shifting the section 2 to the left. Then the section 1 is Placed in abutting relationship thereto, and by utilizing the charging or Vfilling opening a the proper number 'of balls may be pressed or pushed into the race-way formed upon the section 1. In this manner, the race-Ways may be entirely filled with balls or, if desired, only partially filled and a proper separator installed. It-may here be stated that there is no necessity of making the charging 4or filling opening extend the full depth 'of the race, for, -on account of the elasticity of 'the metal forming the rings and the slight independent action between all the parts, the balls may be pushed or forced into the raceway, and in this manner the portion of the race-way with which the balls contact in their travel is not interrupted. After the balls are all in place, the pressure being removed, the rings will assume their natural position and the race-ways will confine the balls, maling'a unitary commercial bearing.

ln the form shown in Fig. 4, a slightly modified form of spacer is used consisting of two annular rings 14 and 15 having their innerv faces in abutting relationship and'recesses formed in their outer faces to receive the balls. These spacers must necessarily be inserted in place before the balls of the row 9 are inserted through the lilling'opening a. T he rings forming the spacer shown in Fig. 4 are not secured together permitting independent movement of each row of balls and its separator. An advantage ofpthis construction of a bearing having a divided ring and a divided separator, isthatif 'for any cause, such as a ball breaking or any of strength or for other purposes: 1:

foreign substance wedging' and 4,locking fone ofthe rows of balls on its sectidn'al `ring,1sof that the balls cannot rotate, andffthejs'e'cj-i tional -ring fails to operate the loadl willjb'e supported and carried by theothe'r sectional 70 ring and its row of balls, thereby prevent? ing the complete failure of the bearing. f; Anf-1 other ladvantage of this constructionfi'siithat, each sectional ring and its row of balls andi separator is independent and 4can turn inde` T5'- pendently of the other section or sections 'in the same or reverse direction. The construction shown in Fig. "3 l1s slightly a different form from that shoivn'in Figs. 2 and 4, in that a pin or pins p, or other'v4 8l)v means, are used tocause both sectional rings* to travel together, also one of thefrows'of balls, as for example, the lrow 10,1 has 1a. slight amount of clearance in the 'ra cewa`ys, while the balls of the row 9 bear upn'both' 85 races and are in positive contact therewitlr at all times. This construction .permitsia' slight relative lateral movement of tliesjec-r tions 1 and 2in a direction parallel to the axis 0f rotation of the bearing depending",l 90';A upon the amount of clearance between-the" balls of the row 10 and their races,"but` nevertheless, the sections 1 and 2 will be held together by the co-action of the `balls withy the shoulders formed upon the two sectinses.

and the integral ring, as previouslyfides,v scribed. T he annular rib e on-the integral ring 3 between the row of balls- 9-andl0iisy not essential to the proper workingofzztliis bearing, butl may be used in thisorjothe'r modifications ofl my invention for the:v sake'i The forms shown in Figszand Tarte/ateo.v4 utilized ,to insert anydesired number of balls. in each raceway'up to the vnumber that-will:A completely fill the circumference* of.: Ithe' races, and to do this without' provi-ding a charging opening. This is accomplished by'f reducing the outer edges of thev'sections 1' and 2 of the sectional ring at 16m and 14E whereby the annular' `space between the in-' tegral ring andthe sectionsfatthe pointl atwhich the balls are inserted,'is increased; T he introduction of the balls in these'formsy is effected by tilting the rings in theman-` ner before described and by varying the temperature of the rings as well as utilizing the natural elasticity and resiliency of the metal forming the rings, togetherwith the slight independent movement betweenj the parts under pressure. When the pressure is removed and conditions become normal the rings will confine the balls in their respee; tive races, making aunitar'y bearing." While both of the sectionsl and 2 aresh'own cut away at 16 and 17 respectively, it Aias-obvious that only 'one suchfsection-need bje cuteaway, `vsince there is no trouble in `filling "the first race-way :by the later-al `rnovementl of the ringsi i i i l" .if l

rie

Fig. 7 differs from Fig. 5 in that instead of increasing the distance between the external edges by providing the inclined 'annular surfaces 16 and 17, circumferential lateral recesses 18 and 19 are provided, which will serve the same purpose. The shoulders 5 and 6 in the form shown in Fig. 5 follow the curvature of the balls, while in Fig. 7 these shoulders present flat surfaces upon which the balls rotate.

The form shown in Fig. 6 is especially adapted for automobiles or in constructions where the ball bearing is subjected to a comparatively heavy radial load, and is also subjected to an intermittent thrust load ink either direction, as for instance, when an automobile wheel is trying to leave car tracks, or is turning corners, etc. The' rows of balls 9 and 10 are spaced as far apart as is practicable, Yand if 'desired additional rows of balls 20 and 21 may be provided, which balls rotate in suitable race-ways 'formed on the ring 3 and upon the sections 1 and 2. In the form shown, the race-ways in the sections 1 and 2 are grooved and followthe curvature of the balls, but this is essential only to maintain the balls in position.

- Where such a construction is used a recess Y, ball at a time and such as is indicated by b may be used to insert the balls of the rows 20 and 21 into position.' The recess b is made to the same` depth or a greater depth than the races c and dand sufficiently large' to `receive one ermit the rings to pass axiall over the ball contained therein and thus tlie ball is permitted to enter the inner race c in section 2.. When the desired numh ber of balls islaced in race c the section 2 with the bal s contained in its race is moved to the right suiciently to allow the recess to be repeated on sectional ring 1. When both inner races -c and d have been i filled with the desired number of balls, both sections and the balls are moved axiallyon the integral ring to the right insert the separators 41 an liOwhen used, and the row of balls 9. e sections are then moved back towardv the left with their balls and separators and .t .separators 40'l tional ring 2 an and 41 may bev laced in-fposition in secthe'ball .in thel row 10 inserted-through the -llingopening a.

The insertion of the two inner rows of Balls 20 and 21 as abone, .may be `facilitated at the expense of son'estrength by making an annular roove around the integral ring similar to t e recesso to correspond with the inner races in the sectional rings 1 and 2. Then all the balls which will completely l fill the inner race in the'section except one may be inserted at the Sametime.' These are then held apart in the sectional ring and the rin .moved to the groove b to receive the last grooves c and d may be very shallow and suliiciently tot' the internal outside edges ofthe sections l and 2 ma be relieved, as in Fig. 5, at 16 y and 17. hen the whole bearing mayv be without' a filling opening or groove #i I propose to make allowances on the various dimensions, for the use of'the principles of' expansion and contraction caused by variations in .temperature either -make a bearing of this'type with the races completely filled with a plurality of rows of balls, or balls with a separator without a filling opening, that is, with rings having uninterrupted annularv surfaces and a ,been

ing which cannot be disassembled without ruining some portion of the bearing..

The construction shown in Fig. 8- is slightly different from that shown in Figs. 2 and 4 in that the curvature of the races is an arc of a circle having. a larger radius than that of the ball used, making the bearing somewhat more exible. The separator 24 shown in this figureis an integralring having recesses in its faces to receive the balls in a staggered relationship to the balls in the other row.` This separator is applicable where it is desired to have 'the rows of balls very closely together or even overlapping each othergand the pin or pins p, which fit loosely in recesses in the rings 1 and 2,

should be used'to cause them to travel in y separator being inserted between the balls,`

then sufficient balls to completely fill the ball paths or races in section 1 are inserted through'the chargin opening a. 'It is cb vious, I can use di erent combinations of ball sizes in my invention to meet diferent r uirenients or uses.

n the modification shown in Fig. 1.0 for th'e sake of strength and for other reasons, the ribs 30 and'31 areadded and the'recess o provided for the insertion of the balls in row 10 andthe charging opening a for the insertion of the balls in row,l 9.

The form shown in Figs. 11 and 12 are constructed with annular races in the op osingvfaces of the sections 1 and 52. In t ese races are interposed the thrust balls 22, which provide anti-friction bearings between the two sections of the sectional rings 1 and 2 which l.bo-acting with the balls 9 and 10 retaining the rings in abutting-ref las inserted through the hole g in the integral ring 3 which has x/a illing notch 7L leading to the ball races between section 2 and the ring 3. lllhen the balls have been introduced into the races under pressure the elasticity of the metal composingthe rings and `the flexibility of the parts retains the balls in the races.

The form shown in Fig. 12 i's similar to that shown in Fig. 11, in that it contains a' row of balls 22, between Ithe confronting faces of the sectional rings 1 and 2 which is carried by an independent separator 25. In this form independent separators 25, 26 and 2T are shown carrying all of the rows of balls. The row of balls 9 is inserted by placing the sectional ring 1 and the integral ring 3 either eccentric or tilted with respect to one another', as` hereinbefore described. The separators 25 and 26 being inserted into place and the row of balls 22 being placed into position with separator 27 also in place, the sectional ring 2 is placed thereon, and the row of balls 10 introduced through the charging opening iz, into the openings of the separator 2 7. In this construction the separators 25 and 26 and 27 are independent and all have a sufii'cieit clearance to revolve freely and inde'peifdently of one another under all conditions. s "f The form shownin Fig. 13 is similar to that shown in Fig. 5, with the exception that one of the concentric rings is divided into 3 sections. and the third row of balls 23 runs in-annular ball paths'or races in` the confronting faces of ring section 4 and the integral ring 3. One of these ball races, as n in the ring 3, has a larger radius than the ball therein allowing a certain amount of lateral movement under a thrust load for the purpose of permitting the balls 9 and 10 to carry any thrust of the load in either direction. The separators shown consist of four annular rings, 28, 29`, 32 and 33, with suitable recesses on their edges to hold the balls; of these rings, 29 and` 32 are held together by pins 1, or other suitable meansand turn as a unit and there is no positive connector between this unit and the two end separator rings 28 and 33, which allows each of the sectional rings l, 2 and 4, with their rowsof ballsv 9, 10 and 23 respectively, and the separators of each, v28, 33, and the unit 29, 32, respectively, to travel independently of one another.

In Fig. 14 the type of bearing shown in Fig. 2 is illustrated in connection with a different form of separator which comprises two separate rings 35 and 36. Each of these rings is adapted to be inserted between vthe balls from the outside, and after it is in position the ends of the grooves whichv have been designated 37, in Fig. 15 are bent 75 around the ends of the balls to hold them in place. One method in `which the ends may be bent `around the balls after the ring is in place, is shown by' Fig. 15, the construetion shown therein comprisinga slot in the ridge or peak between two of the recesses in which the balls fit. .Extending axially through the ring and communicating with the slot 38 is a circularV hole or aperture 39 which is of reduced diameter at lthe inner end of the ring, as at 39. The ring in the form in which it is inserted between the balls, is shown in full lines, and 'after it is so positioned a punch or other instrument having` a pointed end is inserted through the90, hole 39,- .with its end projecting through the reduced portion. This implement is then driven inwardly sufliciently to cause the pointed end to project entirely through the opening 39 whereby the bevel upon the 95 pointed end of the tool will cause the end of the peak to spread, due to theslot 38 therein, so that the ends are bent around the balls,

as shown in dotted lines. The amount which the arms of the bfurcated end of the peak need be separated is slight. One of the -advantages of utilizing this type of separator is that the sections l and 2 of the ring may then turn freely with respect to each other and the balls have a correspondingly 'free 105 movement. v This is impractical with the form of separator shown in Figs. 2 and 3, for'the reasonthat the pins 12 Awhich. unite the two rings or halves of the separator so unite these halves that a common recess is p provided in Ithe ringl for one of the balls of each row, which construction, las 4is obvious, will prevent independent rotation of the two sections 1 and 2.

While different forms of separators or spacers have been shown in connection with p the different modifications it is apparent that these separators may be used interchangeably with the different modifications, and it is not the intention to limit the invention to any particular form of `separator except where it is so specifically stated in the claims. Numerous other constructions of my invention may be utilized `which will suggest 125 themselves for other purposes to those versed in the art, and it is not my intention to limit the inventionto the specific constructions shown. lVhile I vhave shown in the drawings my invention in each instance as having the outer ring containing the two sections l and 2, which is the preferable construction owing to the facility with which the races may be ground in these sections, yet it is obvious that the saine result is attained when the inner ring is made in a plurality of sections,

I claim:

l. A ball bearing comprising two concentric rings, one of said rings -consisting of a plurality of separate integral annular sections lying substantially in contact with each other without intervening spacing means, said rings having diagonal confronting ribs on their faces, and rows of balls between said rings co-acting with said ribs to hold the sections together.

2. A ball bparing comprising two concentric rings, one of said rings consisting of a purality of separate integral annular sections lying .substantially in contact with each other without intervening spacing' means, said rings having diagonal confronting ribs on their faces forming at least a portion of the respective races, and a plurality of rows of balls between said rings coacting with said ribs to hold the sections together.

3. A Iunitary ball bearing comprising two concentric rings having ball races on their confronting faces, and balls in said rares, one of said rings consisting of a plurality of separate integral annular sections lying substantially in contact with each other without intervening spacing means, any two of said sections turning freely with respect to eachother, and said balls co-acting with said races to prevent the separation of the sections.

4. A unitary ball bearing comprising two concentric rings with ball paths or races on their confronting faces, one of said rings consisting of a plurality of integral annular sections lying substantially in contact with each other Without intervening spacing vmeans, a plurality of rows of balls in said races the axis of rotation of at least'one row of said balls being oblique to the axis of the shaft.

5. A ball bearing comprising two concentric rings, one of said rings consisting of a plurality of separate integral annular sections lying substantially in contact with each other without intervening spacing means, said rings having ball races provided with shoulders, and balls between said-races, one of said ball races having a shoulder on one side only whereby one row of balls may be inserted when the rings are displaced laterally.

(i. ball bearing comprising two concentric rings, one of said rings being an integral structure, the other of said rings consisting of a plurality ofintegral annular sections lying substantially in contact with each other without intervening spacing means, ball paths on the confronting faces of said integral ring and said sections, and balls in said paths co-acting with said -paths to prevent the separation of said sections.

7. A ball bearing comprising two concentric rings, one having a rplurality of ribs on one face vthereof and the other consisting of a plurality of separate integral annular' sections lying substantially in contact with each other without intervening spacing means, and each of said sections having a diagonal, rib on one face confronting one of the ribsI on the other ring, and rows of balls between' said rings co-acting with the ribs thereon to hold the sections together. f l

8. A unitary ball bearing comprising three or more concentric rings, at least two of said rings being arranged in abutting relationship and having outwardly facing ribs thereon and the other of said rings having inwardly facing ribsthereon, ball races on the confronting faces of said ribs, and balls 'in said races, yany two of said rings being independently rotatable in the saine or opposite directions.

9. A unita-ry ball bearing comprising an integral ring and a plurality of integral rings concentric therewith, a pair of confronting ball racesl on the face of said integral ring and each of said plurality of rings, a rowof balls in each pair of races, and ribs forming apart at least of said'ball races .ooacting with the balls to limit the lateral movement of said plurality of rings.

In witness whereof, l subscribe my signature in the presence of two witnesses. ,f i

JOHN ERNEST PRUYN. lNitnesses Lnmrin'rno 001Mo, JOHN MGCULLOGH. 

